School-Based Youth and Family Counsellor
Job Description
Revised March 2002
Qualifications
A university degree in the human services (e.g. Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Counselling Psychology) with related work experience.
Role
The role of the Youth and Family Counsellor is to provide early identification and intervention in the areas of counselling, skill development and support services to vulnerable children/youth and their families. Children/youth who are vulnerable are those who are experiencing familial, emotional, behavioral, and cultural issues which significantly limits their capacity to function effectively within their family, school, and/or community.
Youth and Family Counsellor service objectives are to:
•Support children/youth to succeed in school or an educational/employment program•Strengthen children/youths’ relationships and connections with their family and community•Promote children/youth and their families’ healthy lifestyle choices
Responsibilities
1. Assess the individual needs of children/youth/family in the areas of family capacity, emotional stability, school functioning, peer relations and community profile.
2. In collaboration with children/youth/family, develop a service plan that responds to their needs in a holistic manner. This may involve the following services:
a) Individual counselling.b) Family counselling and parent/teen mediation.c) Group counselling (i.e. grief/loss, parenting, divorce, social skills, healthy lifestyle choices).d) Life skill training, which may include social skills development and conflict mediation/resolution.e) Enhance inter-relationship between families, schools and community.f) Ongoing consultation with teachers/community professionals.g) Crisis management intervention.h) Preventative interventions (i.e. health promotion, drug and alcohol education).i) Facilitate students’ transition to and connection with a new school or work placement.j) Act as/ consult with case manager to ensure service plans/goals have been met.
3. On-going consultation and liaison with administration, teaching staff, and community professionals (integrated case management).
4. In conflict and disciplinary situations, function as a mediator and/or advocate for the child/youth and their families.
5. Refer child/youth and their families to community resources when appropriate. (Follow reporting procedures outlined in the various inter-ministry handbooks.)
6. Maintain documentation detailing service plans, outcome measures, community contacts and referrals.
7. Participate in other related activities when required and approved by the executive director.